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A translation of President Ikeda’s “To My Friends”
published in the Seikyo Shimbun and more.

Sunday, May 10th, 2015
— TO MY FRIENDS —
Talented, capable individuals who are to bear
the rising generation are fostered
through the practice and activities.
By chanting daimoku with them
and taking action with them,
let’s develop the type of solidarity
in our local community
that will stand out in the future!

Sunday, May 10th, 2015
— DAILY GOSHO —
“You must simply make up your mind. Look at the world this year as a mirror. The reason that you have survived until now when so many have died was so that you would meet with this affair.”

“As a matter of fact, this is very similar to one of Arnold Toynbee’s theories of history—that is, the principle of challenge and response.

“Dr. Toynbee maintained that a civilisation would continue to develop as long as people had the energy and vitality to accept various problems and obstacles as challenges and respond to them by growing stronger themselves.

“Conversely, when people lost the energy and vitality to respond positively to challenges, a civilisation would begin to decline. Dr. Toynbee explains this by citing a passage from Goethe’s drama Faust. Faust declares to Mephistopheles, the devil personified, who represents the obstacle he must challenge: ‘If on a bed of sloth I ever lie contented, / may I be done for then and there!'[1]

“The moment we assume the attitude: ‘There’s no need to continue making effort. I can just take it easy and relax. I don’t need to expand my activities or challenge myself any further’—from that instant, our downhill decline begins. This, Dr. Toynbee argues, is an unchanging rule of history.

“This rule holds true for individuals and for organisations as well. No matter how great the problems or obstacles that beset us, by challenging them and turning them to our advantage, we can become stronger and develop further.”

SGI Newsletter No. 9238, The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, Part 2: Human Revolution, 9.5 Challenge and Response, from the April 2015 issue of the Daibyaku-renge, translation released 30th April, 2015

A translation of President Ikeda’s “To My Friends”
published in the Seikyo Shimbun and more.

Saturday, May 9th, 2015
— TO MY FRIENDS —
It’s people’s hopes and passion
that opens up a new era.
To accomplish our personal goals and targets,
let’s enthusiastically continue to challenge ourselves!
Let’s all live out our lives, to the very last moment,
with an eternally youthful spirit!

Saturday, May 9th, 2015
— DAILY GOSHO —
“Teach others to the best of your ability, even if it is only a single sentence or phrase.”

Sunday, May 10th, 2015
—- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT —-
“Faith is the source of limitless strength. Religion is the earth from which culture flourishes. The Mystic Law is the wellspring of happiness. Our Buddhist practice gives us the strength to live, to grow, to win, and to surmount any kind of karma.

“Nichiren Buddhism doesn’t use people as a means to an end. It empowers them to stand up courageously, win over themselves, and share their joy with others. This is the correct way of Buddhist practice followed by the SGI.

“Scientific progress is important, as of course are business, politics, and education. But there is something more important still, and that is life itself. Inner transformation is the foundation for everything. Both Shakyamuni and Nichiren Daishonin taught this.

“The Daishonin revealed the fundamental law that pervades life and universe. He left a way for all people to live with compassion and enjoy happiness and peace.

“The supreme law of life and the universe is the Mystic Law, and all of you who uphold it are treasures of the world.

“The law of cause and effect in Buddhism is unerring. Please be reassured, therefore, that all who dedicate themselves to the Mystic Law will, in lifetime after lifetime, be outstanding leaders endowed with health, wealth, and attractiveness, who contribute to society, are praised and admired by all, and lead lives of deep fulfilment.”

SGI Newsletter No. 9238, The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, Part 2: Human Revolution, 9.4 Winning Over Ourselves Today, from the April 2015 issue of the Daibyaku-renge, translation released 30th April, 2015

* There is a Japanese national press holiday today – a chance to let the deliverers and all the other people involved in making a newspaper take a short rest! “To My Friends” was therefore not published today…back tomorrow though!

A translation of President Ikeda’s “To My Friends”
published in the Seikyo Shimbun and more.

Thursday, May 7th, 2015
— DAILY GOSHO —
“There is no true happiness for human beings other than chanting
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo..”

(Happiness in This World – The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.I, page 681)
Selection source: “Teachings of Buddhism”, Seikyo Shimbun, April 18th, 2015

Friday, May 8th, 2015
—- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT —-
“A Buddha is not a superhuman being. One who has attained this state continues to experience problems, suffering, and pain, and is still subject to illness and to temptation by devilish forces. For that reason, a Buddha is a person of courage, tenacity, and continuous action who struggles ceaselessly against devilish functions.

“No matter how lofty a state we may achieve, without persistent efforts to advance and improve, our faith can be destroyed in a moment.”

SGI Newsletter No. 9238, The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, Part 2: Human Revolution, 9.3 Buddhism Originates from Shakyamuni’s Inner Struggle, from the April 2015 issue of the Daibyaku-renge, translation released 30th April, 2015

A translation of President Ikeda’s “To My Friends”
published in the Seikyo Shimbun and more.

Wednesday, May 6th, 2015
— TO MY FRIENDS —
Let’s remember to put into words our gratitude
to those who are closest to us – our family!
Family harmony is in itself
the foundation for happiness,
and the wellspring for the prosperity of our communities.

Wednesday, May 6th, 2015
— DAILY GOSHO —
“Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is like the roar of a lion. What sickness can therefore be an obstacle?”

Thursday, May 7th, 2015
—- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT —-
“The Daishonin asserts that an intense battle is being fought between the Buddha and devilish forces throughout the universe, which Buddhism describes as the the ‘sea of the sufferings of birth and death.’

“The entire universe is the stage of a colossal struggle—a struggle between constructive and destructive forces, between the energy towards order and harmony and the turbulent currents leading to disorder and chaos, between the power of compassion that unites and the power of hate that sunders, between life and death, light and darkness, happiness and misery, advance and retreat, rise and fall, freedom and constraint, hope and despair, the energy to nurture life and the impulse to kill. Do we follow the Law that leads to happiness or become enslaved by the workings of the devil king that seek to darken the world with misfortune?

“It is vital that we follow the Law that leads to eternal happiness and build a realm of indestructible and everlasting joy. This is our mission as practitioners of Nichiren Buddhism.”

SGI Newsletter No. 9238, The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, Part 2: Human Revolution, Chapter 9: Buddhism Is about Winning, from the April 2015 issue of the Daibyaku-renge, translation released 30th April, 2015

A translation of President Ikeda’s “To My Friends”
published in the Seikyo Shimbun and more.

Tuesday, May 5th, 2015
— TO MY FRIENDS —
Please be very careful not to cause a traffic accident.
Don’t let your eyes be distracted from the road
or exceed the speed limit when driving!
Remembering never to be careless
or overconfident about your driving skills
let’s have a valuable and meaningful break*!

* Japan is currently in the middle of several back to back national holidays called Golden Week.

Tuesday, May 5th, 2015
— DAILY GOSHO —
“Although I and my disciples may encounter various difficulties, if we do not harbour doubts in our hearts, we will as a matter of course attain Buddhahood. Do not have doubts simply because heaven does not lend you protection. Do not be discouraged because you do not enjoy an easy and secure existence in this life.”

“In other words, the Buddha is the leader who triumphs in the struggle against devilish functions. Victory attests to the power of Buddhism, the power of faith.

“Referring to his battle with devilish forces, Nichiren Daishonin writes:

“’The devil king of the sixth[3] has roused the ten kinds of troops and, in the midst of the sea of the sufferings of birth and death, is at war with the votary of the Lotus Sutra to stop him from taking possession of and to wrest away from him this impure land where both ordinary people and sages dwell.[4]

“‘It has been twenty or more years now since I found myself in that situation and began the great battle. Not once have I thought of retreat. (WND-2, 465)

“The “ten kinds of troops” refers to various kinds of earthly desires or deluded impulses. The Treatise on the Great Perfection of Wisdom[4] lists them as follows:

(1) Greed. (Becoming attached to the five desires[5] and neglecting one’s Buddhist practice as a result.)

(2) Discouragement. (Being depressed and listless.)

(3) Hunger and thirst. (Being assailed by these desires.)

(4) Craving. (Decline resulting from desire or attachment. It includes attachments stemming from love or sexual desire, or addiction to substances such as alcohol or other forms of pleasure-seeking.)

(5) Sleepiness. (This doesn’t mean that we are supposed to give up sleep. It refers rather to a lazy and negligent attitude or way of life. It may also include not making any serious attempt to improve oneself and just getting by with the least possible effort.)

(6) Fear. (Succumbing to one’s anxieties and being cowardly.)

(7) Doubt and regret. (Devilish functions that try to lead practitioners astray and cause them to doubt or regret the path they are pursuing.)

(8) Anger. (Allowing angry thoughts to obstruct one’s practice.)

(9) Fame, fortune, and false glory. (Allowing attachment to material gain and worldly reputation lead one away from the path of attaining Buddhahood.)

(10) Arrogance and contempt for others. (Thinking highly of oneself and scorning others.)

“This last characteristic of arrogance, incidentally, has been exhibited by all who, until now, have abandoned their practice and attacked the Soka Gakkai. Indeed, they have allowed themselves to be defeated by all ten of the devil king’s armies, captured by them, and enlisted in their ranks.

“What is the weapon for vanquishing these ten armies? It is none other than the ‘sharp sword’ of faith.

“That’s why leaders of kosen-rufu need, first and foremost, to be courageous people of strong faith. Otherwise, no matter how excellent and accomplished they may seem, they will not be victorious in the battle against devilish forces at the fundamental level of life.

“Strong faith is the measure of a truly strong person.”

SGI Newsletter No. 9238, The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, Part 2: Human Revolution, Chapter 9: Buddhism Is about Winning, from the April 2015 issue of the Daibyaku-renge, translation released 30th April, 2015

[1] The Treatise on the Great Perfection of Wisdom: A comprehensive commentary on the Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutra, traditionally attributed to Nagarjuna (c. 150–250). Only the Chinese version translated by Kumarajiva exists today. The work explains the concepts of wisdom and of non-substantiality, and the bodhisattva ideal and the six paramitas, among others. It also incorporates concepts from the Lotus Sutra and other Mahayana sutras, and is considered an extremely important work of Mahayana thought in general.

[2] Five desires: The desires that arise from the contact of the five sense organs (eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and body) with their respective objects (color and form, sound, smell, taste, and texture).

[1] Ten powers: The powers of a Buddha. They are (1) the power of knowing what is true and what is not; (2) the power of knowing karmic causality at work in the lives of all beings throughout past, present, and future; (3) the power of knowing all stages of concentration, emancipation, and meditation; (4) the power of knowing the state of life of all people; (5) the power of judging all people’s understanding; (6) the power of discerning the superiority or inferiority of all people’s capacity; (7) the power of knowing the effects of all people’s actions; (8) the power of remembering past lifetimes; (9) the power of knowing when each person will be born and die, and in what realm that person will be reborn; and (10) the power of eradicating all illusions.

[2] These names are found in the Great Majesty Dharani Sutra (Chin. Daweide tuoluoni jing; Jpn. Dai-itoku darani-kyo) and other sutras.

[3] Devil king of the sixth heaven: Also, devil king or heavenly devil. The king of devils, who dwells in the highest or the sixth heaven of the world of desire. He is also named Freely Enjoying Things Conjured by Others, the king who makes free use of the fruits of others’ efforts for his own pleasure. Served by innumerable minions, he obstructs Buddhist practice and delights in sapping the life force of other beings, the manifestation of the fundamental darkness inherent in life. The devil king is a personification of the negative tendency to force others to one’s will at any cost.

[4] “This impure land where both ordinary people and sages dwell” refers to this saha world, where common mortals of the six paths (the realms of hell, hungry spirits, animals, asuras, human beings, and heavenly beings) and sages of the four noble worlds (the realms of voice-hearers, cause-awakened ones, bodhisattvas, and Buddhas) dwell together. One of the four kinds of lands described in the doctrine of the T’ien-t’ai school of Buddhism.

A translation of President Ikeda’s “Words of the Week”
published in the Seikyo Shinbun and more.

May 4th – 10th, 2015
— WORDS OF THE WEEK —
All of our precious successors of the SGI!
The world awaits you.
What results will be manifested in the future
depend on the causes that exist in the present.*
Let’s all help to shine a light on and
spotlight our Future Division members!**

* “If you want to understand the causes that existed in the past, look at
the results as they are manifested in the present. And if you want to
understand what results will be manifested in the future, look at the
causes that exist in the present.” – “The Opening of the Eyes”, WND-I, page 279
** 6-18 year old young people

Monday, May 4th, 2015
— DAILY GOSHO —
“I will be the pillar of Japan. I will be the eyes of Japan. I will be the great ship of Japan. This is my vow, and I will never forsake it!”

Tuesday, May 5th, 2015
—- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT —-
“There are bound to be times when we become stalled in our progress. That’s when we need to chant and take action with even stronger determination. When we do so, we will , we will definitely cultivate a more expansive state of life and be able to move forwards once again. Continually repeating this process is the heart of our Buddhist practice.

“Our victory is determined by whether we win or lose in this struggle with ourselves, with stagnation, and with devilish functions.

“Those who neglect this fierce, unrelenting struggle with their inner weaknesses are already on the path of decline. They treat life like a game. Such complacency is the very hallmark of defeat.

“Nichiren Daishonin writes:

“’Buddhism primarily concerns itself with victory or defeat, while secular authority is based on the principle of reward and punishment. For this reason, a Buddha is looked up to as the Hero of the World, while a king is called the one who rules at his will.’ (WND-1, 835)

“Rewards and punishments can be measured by degree, and are relative by nature. For example, one can score 10 or 60 out of 100 on an exam, or receive awards of various rankings. In this way, rewards and punishments can be compared with one another as better or worse, because they are relative.

“But victory and defeat are absolute. You either win or you lose. There is no middle ground. A Buddha is one who has achieved victory. A “hero of the world”—one of the titles of the Buddha—is an unrivalled champion in the human world, in society.”

SGI Newsletter No. 9238, The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, Part 2: Human Revolution, Chapter 9: Buddhism Is about Winning, from the April 2015 issue of the Daibyaku-renge, translation released 30th April, 2015

A translation of President Ikeda’s “To My Friends”
published in the Seikyo Shimbun and more.

Sunday, May 3rd, 2015
— TO MY FRIENDS —
The Daishonin states,
“This is my vow, and I will never forsake it!”*
Let’s live out our lives fulfilling the vows
made in our youth,
no matter what may happen!
Those who do so are true victors.

*”The Opening of the Eyes” – WND-I, page 281

Sunday, May 3rd, 2015
— DAILY GOSHO —
“Let the gods forsake me. Let all persecutions assail me. Still I will give my life for the sake of the Law.”

Monday, May 4th 2015
—- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT —-
“The reason the Daishonin emphasises that ‘Buddhism is about winning’ is to drive home the importance of having the inner strength and fortitude to stand up to every obstacle and difficulty that arises in life. If we are fainthearted and timid, we cannot win over the negative functions in our own lives or in society. The Daishonin writes: ‘A coward cannot have any of his prayers answered’ (WND-1, 1001).

“This is the Daishonin’s powerful encouragement to his disciples not to allow themselves to be defeated by life’s ups and downs, nor to be undone by base negative influences. His teaching that ‘nothing surpasses the strategy of the Lotus Sutra'[1] expresses the same idea.

“Faith in the Lotus Sutra is not an intellectual or abstract theory. It must enable us to demonstrate practical wisdom for winning in society, in the real world.

“With the heart of a lion king, the Daishonin fought one momentous battle after another, emerging triumphant each time. Such unwavering determination also activates the protective forces of the universe.

“In a proud declaration of victory, he says: ‘It is because the heavenly deities came to my aid that I survived even the Tatsunokuchi Persecution and emerged safely from other great persecutions’ (GZ, 843).[2]

“Our lives, our daily existence, and society are constantly changing. Every change is either for better or for worse; there is no in-between. That is why it is essential that our faith, our religion, enables us to win.”

SGI Newsletter No. 9238, The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, Part 2: Human Revolution, Chapter 9: Buddhism Is about Winning, from the April 2015 issue of the Daibyakurenge, translation released 30th April, 2015

[1] The Daishonin writes: “Employ the strategy of the Lotus Sutra before any other” (WND-1, 1001).

A translation of President Ikeda’s “To My Friends”
published in the Seikyo Shimbun and more.

Saturday, May 2nd, 2015
— TO MY FRIENDS —
When the weather constantly changes like now,
let’s be very careful not to catch a cold, etc.
by taking every possible measure to stay healthy.
With a lively mind and body,
let’s cheerfully advance
by taking good care of our health, first and foremost!

Sunday, May 3rd, 2015
—- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT —-
“The benefit derived from upholding the Lotus Sutra is truly immense. The Lotus Sutra is the supreme teaching that enables anyone to attain enlightenment. In particular, the Daishonin says that reciting the verse section of the ‘Life Span’ chapter produces immeasurable benefit that ‘can only be understood and shared between Buddhas’ [LSOC2, 57] (WND-1, 516).

“Our recitation of the sutra in morning and evening gongyo envelops the lives of both the living and the dead in good fortune and benefit without fail, just as the bright light of the sun illuminates and warmly embraces all things. The ‘Life Span’ chapter states that the light of the Buddha’s wisdom shines without measure, and that the Buddha’s life span is countless kalpas long [1] (cf. LSOC16, 272). The light of the Buddha’s wisdom pervades everything and shines for all eternity. There is absolutely no need to lament or be filled with fear.

“Viewed from the perspective of Buddhism and from the perspective of life’s eternal nature, we are always advancing together with our departed friends and loved ones, united by our powerful connection to the Mystic Law.

“The characters of the Lotus Sutra inscribed by I-lung became Buddhas and relieved his late father of suffering. Likewise, our strong, focused chanting of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo can reach anywhere—exerting a positive influence not only on those still living, but on those who have passed away. Though we may be separated from our deceased loved ones and fellow members, we can always stay connected with them in our hearts and relieve them of any suffering.”

SGI Newsletter No. 9233, Learning from the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin: The Teachings for Victory, [65] “Letter to Horen,” The Verse Section of the “Life Span” Chapter Is the “Soul” of the Twenty-eight Chapters of the Lotus Sutra, from the August 2014 issue of the Daibyakurenge, translation released 14th April, 2015

A translation of President Ikeda’s “To My Friends”
published in the Seikyo Shimbun and more.

Friday, May 1st, 2015
— TO MY FRIENDS —
The SGI is the ultimate gathering of “Good Friends”.*
As treasured friends,
let’s encourage each other constantly
always motivating and inspiring one another as we advance.
Together, let’s travel along the great path to true happiness!

Saturday, May 2nd, 2015
—- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT —-
“‘You should pray intently that Shakyamuni, Many Treasures, and the Buddhas of the ten directions will all gather and enter into your your body to assist you.’
– From “Reply to Yasaburo,” (WND-1, 829).

“Nichiren Daishonin wrote these words to a disciple who was preparing to participate in a debate for the sake of kosen-rufu. The Daishonin instructs him to pray intently for the protective functions of the universe to enter his life.

“All Buddhas will lend their support to those who are steadfastly striving to fulfil the great vow for kosen-rufu. That is how respectworthy we are. As such, we are certain to be thoroughly protected by the heavenly deities.

“Making the positive functions of the entire universe our allies, let’s continue to advance, brimming with the boundless power of the Buddha.”

SGI Newsletter No. 9236, Living the Gosho: Words of Encouragement, (55) Triumph with the Boundless Power of the Buddha, from 21st April, 2015, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun translation released 22nd April, 2015.

A translation of President Ikeda’s “To My Friends”
published in the Seikyo Shimbun and more.

Thursday, April 30th, 2015
— TO MY FRIENDS —
Let’s use those bitter sufferings and hardships we are encountering
as a source and opportunity for our growth!
Let’s convert our karma into our unique mission!
Creating value out of every situation
is what Buddhism is all about.
Cheerfully, let’s advance!

Thursday, April 30th, 2015
— DAILY GOSHO —
“But now you must build your reputation on the Lotus Sutra and give yourself up to it.”

Friday, May 1st, 2015
—- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT —-
“‘The mighty warrior General Li Kuang, whose mother had been devoured by a tiger, shot an arrow at the stone he believed was the tiger. The arrow penetrated the stone all the way up to its feathers. But once he realised it was only a stone, he was unable to pierce it again.’
– From “General Stone Tiger”, (WND-1, 953).

“The power of strong resolve can penetrate even stone. Faith in the Mystic Law and our Buddhist practice enable us to tap the true incredible power that resides within human life.

“With focused prayer and the unwavering determination to win, to definitely accomplish our goals, we can make the impossible possible.

“’I won’t give up! I will definitely succeed!’—this commitment will activate the protective functions of the universe and turn everything into a friend and ally.

“Faith is the ultimate power for breaking through all obstacles and limitations.”

SGI Newsletter No. 9237, Living the Gosho: (56) Making the Impossible Possible with Strong Resolve, from 23rd April, 2015, issue of the Seikyo Shinbun, translation released 23rd April, 2015